Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers NFL Draft history: Top 5 defensive backs drafted in the 2000s

By Safa Shooshtry

Secondary Coach Ed Donatell of the San Francisco 49ers talks with Tarell Brown #25, Carlos Rogers #22, Tramaine Brock #26 and Donte Whitner #31 (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
Secondary Coach Ed Donatell of the San Francisco 49ers talks with Tarell Brown #25, Carlos Rogers #22, Tramaine Brock #26 and Donte Whitner #31 (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers
Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Safety Eric Reid

Coming off the heels of a Super Bowl loss to the Baltimore Ravens, starting free safety Dashon Goldson tested free agency and jumped ship, signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 49ers desperately needed a player to fill that huge void.

And they looked to fill it through the upcoming draft.

With the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected safety Eric Reid out of LSU. He was thrust immediately into a starting role. And he wasted little time in showing the 49ers and their opponents what he was all about.

In his rookie season, Reid totaled 77 tackles, two fumble recoveries, four interceptions and 11 passes defended. These numbers earned him a Pro Bowl and a 2013 NFL All-Rookie Team selection.

During his time with the 49ers, Reid controversially joined former quarterback Colin Kaepernick in protest by kneeling pre-game during the national anthem throughout the 2016 season. And while many may remember him for that, it should not overshadow the fact that he was an impact player on the field.

Upon becoming a free agent in 2018 the 49ers decided to part ways with Reid and he was signed by the Carolina Panthers. He was the starter for the Panthers for two seasons, but they also decided to part ways with him under their new regime and cut him as of March 18, 2020.

Although he is currently a free agent, at 28 he still looks to have a lot left in the tank. Don’t be surprised if he finds a new team sooner than later.